Open assignment period for Seattle schools May 3, 2008
Posted by kindergartenwatch in School Districts.Tags: enrollment, kindergarten, open assignment, seattle public schools
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The open assignment period for Seattle schools began on May 1, according to the Seattle Public Schools Web site.
Open enrollment was held earlier this year, and this month’s open assignment period is for requesting changes to assignments. Refer to the Enrollment Services section and the Enrollment Guide page on the district’s site for more details.
For information on enrollment data and discussions about student assignments, see the Assignment Plan Web site.
So what about the other half day? April 21, 2008
Posted by kindergartenwatch in School Districts.Tags: childcare, community, daycare, half-day, half-day kindergarten, kindergarten, school board, taxes
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Very few community organizations or daycares provide instruction or care for kindergartners that would complement the half-day kindergarten programs. Some provide extended care for mornings and evenings, often with waiting list, but it usually wraps around a full school day.
Parents shouldn’t expect the district to be a babysitter, but realistically, what options are available to working parents? Not all families have extended family who are capable of caring for a rambunctious kindergartner, or who live nearby.
Another issue is that parents may not get to chose whether their child is in morning or afternoon programs, as this often depends on bus routes. Some schools don’t notify parents about placement until summer, which makes it even harder to plan. Some programs, typically afternoon, are shortened on early release days, making it even more complicated to find care.
If you lived in 13 other states in our nation, your state would be required to offer full-day kindergarten. Your neighborhood school — that you’ve paid taxes for — would be required to find space for your child. You would not have to tell a wide-eyed trusting little soul that he or she can’t attend schools with his or her friends.
If you have concerns about this issue, please let your school and state leaders know. If you are in the Lake Washington School District, where some schools have dozens of children on the waiting list, here are details on how to contact the board. There is a board meeting at 7 tonight (4/21) in the District Resource Center, but apparently the board only allows public comments on its first meeting of the month.
Some upcoming school board meetings in the Puget Sound region April 16, 2008
Posted by kindergartenwatch in School Districts.Tags: citizens, concerns, kindergarten, meetings, school boards
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Attending a school board meeting is great way to gain insight about funding and policy. Some school boards enable public comment — please refer to the specifics about your school board operations.
Below are some upcoming dates — click on the links for more details:
Lake Washington School Board — 7 p.m. on 4/21 at the LWSD Resource Center
Snoqualmie Valley School Board – 7:30 on 5/8 at the Snoqualmie District Office
Issaquah School District — 7 p.m. on 4/23 in Administration Office Boardrooms
Newport School Board — 6:30 on 4/28 in the District Office Board Room
Seattle School Board — 6 p.m. on 4/23 at the Auditorium of the Stanford Center
If you would like to add information about a meeting or your district, feel free to add a comment. For more information, see the School Districts in Washington State link, and browse to your district.
